Question

A manufacturer is designing a flashlight. For the flashlight to emit a focused beam, the bulb needs to be on the central axis of the parabolic reflector, 3 centimeters from the vertex. Write an equation that models the parabola formed when a cross section is taken through the reflector’s central axis. Assume that the vertex of the parabola is at the origin in the xy coordinate plane and the parabola can open in any direction. Can someone please explain how i can find this equation?

Answer 1

From the problem, the vertex = (0, 0) and the focus = (0, 3)
From the attached graphic, the equation can be expressed as:
(x -h)^2 = 4p (y -k)
where (h, k) are the (x, y) values of the vertex (0, 0)
The "p" value is the difference between the "y" value of the focus and the "y" value of the vertex.
p = 3 -0
p = 3
So, we form the equation
(x -0)^2 = 4 * 3 (y -0)
x^2 = 12y
To put this in proper quadratic equation form, we divide both sides by 12
y = x^2 / 12

Source:
http://www.1728.org/quadr4.htm